Beer is becoming more expensive in Russia while sales decline

Russia | Is this a sign of worse things to come for the Russian economy? Off-premise beer sales in the first nine months of 2025 have declined by 16.9 percent over the same period in 2024. The collapse in demand is explained by the cold summer and rising prices. However, the drop in sales is seen in almost all key alcohol categories, including wine and vodka.

Heineken bids UEFA Champions League farewell

The Netherlands | Heineken will end its three-decade-long run as the official beer sponsor of the UEFA Champions League in August 2027. The decision follows what the group described (30 October) as a “strategic review” of its sponsorship portfolio. The company cited a sharper focus on investments that deliver “spend proportionate to value creation” and measurable returns on investment. Heineken first sponsored the tournament in 1994 with the Amstel brand before switching to its flagship namesake beer in 2005.

Heineken warns of more brewery closures and potential market exits

The Netherlands | Dutch brewer Heineken notified on 22 October that its 2025 beer sales would fall as macroeconomic challenges worsened, further downgrading its volume guidance from the previous quarter. The company reported a 0.3 percent organic decline in third-quarter 2025 net revenues. Its 4.3 percent organic beer volume decline was broadly in line with forecasts. Volume sales are down 2.3 percent year-to-date.

Heineken closes one of its Polish breweries over volume declines

Poland | Heineken’s Grupa Żywiec unit in Poland is set to cease production at the historic Namysłów brewery in early 2026. Citing a “declining beer category” in the country along with “growing costs and taxes”, the subsidiary said on 17 October that some 100 employees will receive a “full severance package and additional support”, in accordance with their trade unions. Żywiec added that it is in “advanced discussion with potential investors” regarding a potential sale of the brewery’s assets.

AB-InBev announces USD 6 billion buyback as beer volumes decline

Belgium | AB-InBev announced a USD 6 billion share buyback over two years, as the Belgian brewer cuts debt and grows profits even as sales fall. On 30 October it reported a 3.3 percent rise in underlying operating profit in the third quarter 2025, but it was still the lowest quarterly profit growth since 2021 for the maker of Stella Artois and Corona. Organic volumes slipped 3.7 percent, with beer volumes down by 3.9 percent, as they were dragged down by weak demand in China and poor weather in Brazil.

Carlsberg weighed down by weak consumer spending

Denmark | Carlsberg, on 30 October, reported a decline in underlying sales and volumes for the third quarter 2025 from a year earlier, citing a challenging consumer environment, and said it was taking steps to cut costs. The Danish brewer posted a 1.4 percent drop in organic sales – excluding acquisitions – and a 3 percent decline in organic volumes.

The Netherlands | Polish employees at Heineken’s Krakow shared services centre are not alone in worrying about their jobs. On 14 October, the Dutch brewer announced a reorganisation at its Amsterdam headquarters, which will affect approximately 400 jobs. Starting in 2026, the changes are part of “broader initiatives to create a more agile, simpler, and better-connected organization focused on growth and innovation,” the company said.

BrewDog announces job cuts after posting GBP 37 million loss

United Kingdom | Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog has announced job cuts across the business, media reported on 6 October. The firm has not confirmed how many jobs will go. Staff were informed in an email from CEO James Taylor. The trade union Unite said roles could also be lost at BrewDog's Ellon brewery and described it as a “deeply worrying sign for the company's future”.

Ohio Governor bans hemp-derived THC drinks and gummies

USA | One of the fastest growing segments for craft brewers in Ohio has just been eliminated. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed an executive order, temporarily banning food and beverage products that contain intoxicating THC derived from hemp. The ban began on 14 October and will last for 90 days. Retailers were compelled to pull these products from shelves.

Diageo to pay “settlement” after Africa anti-competition probe

United Kingdom | East African Breweries’ majority owner, Diageo, will pay USD 750,000, following a probe into anti-competitive business practices in Eswatini, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zambia, media reported on 14 October. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission launched an investigation into Diageo, alongside Heineken, Castel and AB-InBev. in 2021, regarding the “market allocation arrangements” and “territorial restrictions” the companies were alleged to have had.